THE ABILITY OF RHIZOSPHERE FUNGI ISOLATE OF MAHOGANY [Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq.] IN DISSOLVING PHOSPHATE

The purpose of this study was to explore the ability of rhizosphere fungus isolates of mahogany stands in dissolving phosphate. Activities and types of microbes which can dissolve phosphate in mahogany plants are essential and needed to be known in order to obtain suitable microbial types to increase plant growth. This study was conducted for two months from March to May 2019 and analyzed in the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Tree Breeding at Faculty of Forestry Universitas Hasanuddin, Makassar. Rhizosphere microbes have important roles in nutrient cycling and during soil formation, plant growth, influencing microbial activity as well as biological control of root pathogens. Preparation of microbial culture, rejuvenation process and preparation of phosphate solubility test media were analyzed with the qualitative method by measuring the absorbance by using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer with 693 nm wavelength. The results of the rejuvenation of fungus isolates that were successfully grown were 27 isolates out of 28 isolates from genus Rhizopus, Fusarium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichoderma and Gliocladium. The highest phosphate concentration was the genus Glioclodium (MB 9.2) with a 6.65 ppm concentration value, while the lowest phosphate concentration was genus Glioclodium (MB 3) with -1.47 ppm concentration value. These isolates produce phosphorus that can be used by plants.